Notification 2019-094

Dear Madam/Sir, In decision 14/20 (paragraph 11 (b) to (e)), the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity requested the Executive Secretary to commission the following studies: 1) Fact-finding study on the concept and scope of digital sequence information on genetic resources and how digital sequence information on genetic resources is currently used building on the existing fact-finding and scoping study; 2) Study on ongoing developments in the field of traceability of digital information, including how traceability is addressed by databases, and how these could inform discussions on digital sequence information on genetic resources; 3) Study on public and, to the extent possible, private databases of digital sequence information on genetic resources, including the terms and conditions on which access is granted or controlled, the biological scope and the size of the databases, numbers of accessions and their origin, governing policies, and the providers and users of the digital sequence information on genetic resources and encourages the owners of private databases to provide the necessary information; 4) Study on how domestic measures address benefit-sharing arising from commercial and non-commercial use of digital sequence information on genetic resources and address the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources for research and development. The studies have been commissioned thanks to the generous financial support provided by the European Union and its Member States and Norway. A single document comprising studies 2 and 3 (on traceability and databases) is now available for peer review at the following website: https://www.cbd.int/abs/dsi-gr/2019-2020/studies.shtml#tab=1. The document will remain open for peer-review from 22 October to 22 November 2019. Studies 1 and 4 (on concept/scope and measures) will be made available for peer-review shortly. There will, likewise, be a review period of four weeks. A reminder will be sent by email when the studies will be made available on the peer review website (https://www.cbd.int/abs/dsi-gr/2019-2020/studies.shtml). Please note that the documents are drafts, for comments only, and not for citation or other uses. Kindly send your comments to the Secretariat by e-mail at: secretariat@cbd.int or by fax at +1 514 288 6588, using the template for peer-review comments, which is accessible in electronic format from the peer review webpage mentioned above. Also, please note that you need to clearly indicate which study your comments are directed to and to submit your comments before the indicated deadline. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support to the Convention and its Nagoya Protocol. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, ABS National Focal Points, indigenous peoples and local communities, international organizations, relevant stakeholders